working vacation

We just came back from a week visiting my parents in Colorado.  We had a good visit, and I discovered a new favorite beer--Stiegl pilsner from Salzburg.  We did plenty of good eating (the green chile mashed potatoes at the Bull & Bush are the ultimate comfort food), and lots and lots of treasure hunting.  If you follow me on Instagram, you got to see some sneak peeks of our finds, which will all be coming to the shop shortly.

xo

K

shop preview

Lots of flowers and soft shades in this shop preview...make sure you check out the killer swimsuit at the finale!  These items will be appearing in the shop over the next two weeks.  

We're headed out west next week for a visit with my parents.  While the shop will remain open, our last shipping day before this break will be this coming Friday, May 10.  (Normal shipping will resume on Tuesday, May 21.)

1940s dusty rose woven ribbons dress, by Westover.

1950s Partridge in a Pear Tree novelty print blouse.

1950s Japanese garden print sundress with rhinestone buttons.

1950s white beaded Turbo Orlon cardigan.

1960s floral pop dress with bell sleeves and bow at the back neck.

1950s Jeanies by Blue Bell blue plaid shorts.

1950s Dogwood Abstract print rayon dress.

1940s pink and black gingham blouse, by Ship 'n Shore.

1960s blue and white waffle fabric dress, by Gigi Creations.

1950s white eyelash textured blouse with lace scarf collar, by DeMille.

1950s blue and brown plaid day dress.

1950s rose and peony print shirtwaist dress, with flower buttons.

1940s floral print Catalina bikini swimsuit.

xo

K

i spy: a brave climber, Wiener Werkstätte wishes, a dashing designer, and Giggle Juice

Wiener Werkstätte designs, German timber framed houses, masked Austrian "wild man" creatures...there's definitely a bit of a theme to many of my inspirations lately.  My interest in Charles Rennie Mackintosh and the Glasgow School goes back a bit further (and he had ties to the Wiener Werkstätte, too), but I had no idea the Scottish designer/architect was so very dashing.  

Of course, I have long been inspired by the spunky style of Shirley Maclaine.  And check out my newest style icon, Maureen, the Marchioness of Dufferin and Ava.  How fantastic is she?  I can totally see myself--and either of those gals--donning those amazing Dessès rhinestone gloves and drinking a concoction from the Giggle Juice book.

You can see more of this (plus a healthy dose of Christoph Waltz, you have been warned) on my Tumblr and Pinterest.

1 / Wiener Werkstätte “best wishes for the new year” postcard, by Lotte Frömel-Fochler, ca 1910 / The Vienna Secession

2 / handsome Glasgow School architect, painter, and furniture designer Charles Rennie Mackintosh / FuckYeahHistoryCrushes

3 / masked figures from the Wilde Jagd Christmas folklore festivity in Salzburg, Austria / via

4 / a beautiful house in Schorndorf, Germany / via

5 / 1930s photo.  I don't know how she got up there--and in those heels--but dang, she is both stylish and brave! / via

1 / I just love Shirl. And those shades. / via

2 / fabulous 1960s American Girl shoe ad. / via

3 / amazing title and jacket on this vintage cocktails book. / via

4 / 1950s Jean Dessès rhinestone embellished gloves. / vintagetextile.com

5 / now this is a style icon!  Maureen, Marchioness of Dufferin and Ava. / Advanced Style

xo

K

shop accessories preview: silver boots, brass buckles, and a wooden purse

Silver cowgirl boots, an Enid Collins purse, a computer belt buckle, and flower and feather print scarves--yes, it's a fairly eclectic shop preview!  All items are coming to the shop shortly.

Deadstock 1960s men's brown leather mod ankle boots.

Women's metallic silver Tony Lama boots.

1960s men's woven leather oxfords.

1950s olive green suede clutch, by Escort Bag.

1962 Enid Collins "Carriage House" wooden box purse.

Brass train engine belt buckle.

1985 brass and pearlescent enamel electric guitar belt buckle.

1981 brass computer belt buckle.

1960s orange and yellow right angles print Vera Neumann scarf.

1960s feather print Vera Neumann scarf.

1960s Vera Neumann purple pansies print scarf.

1940s silk chiffon deco carnations print scarf.

xo

K

gold diggers of 1933

I have to thank my Tumblr friend and fellow Christoph Waltz enthusiast, Amelia, for sparking me to finally rent and see the amazing pre-Code musical Gold Diggers of 1933.  She did this by writing about it and its follow-up, Gold Diggers of 1937, on her fantastic film blog, More Stars Than in the Heavens.  If you like movies--especially classic films--I strongly recommend following Amelia's blog.  She is an excellent writer, and has, in a very short period of time, made my Must See Films list ridiculously long.  

I won't go into great detail about the film's plot.  Basically, it's about a group of four showgirls during the Depression.  The Busby Berkeley musical numbers are beautiful, bizarre, magical, and extremely moving, by turns.  Just go rent the movie and see it. 

My post here is going to be frivolously full of pictures of pretty costumes.

My favorite gal in the film was Aline MacMahon's Trixie.  She plays the Funny One, and maybe it's just because she's the only one with eyebrows, I thought she was the loveliest.  (I never quite understood that 1930s no eyebrows look.)  Trixie also wears the best clothes.

...Like this amazing macro herringbone print dress.  I've been a little obsessed with the Wiener Werkstätte movement lately, and this print reminds me of some of the textiles made by those artisans.

Ruby Keeler tap dancing in a great little plaid-accented outfit.  Love how the scarf pulls through her lapels.

Here's Aline MacMahon in another great print, this time an op art-y shadow plaid.

Ginger Rogers (who is more than a little freaky in the film's opening musical number--watch it and tell me what you think!) in diagonal stripes and cute little jacket.

Um, this bar?  Send it to my house.  Also love Joan Blondell's black gown, which is accented with a sparkly sequinned plaid.

I should probably mention that the costumes are by famed Australian-born costume designer Orry-Kelly.  He moved to Hollywood in 1932, so Gold Diggers was one of his earlier gigs.

THIS IS A JUMPSUIT.  Yes, I had to put that in all caps.  How cute is it?  And just look at Aline's face.  Is she not lovely?

Here's Guy Kibbee in another of my favorite costumes--a very Wiener Werkstätte-ish dressing gown.

I had to include some shots of the musical numbers.  This being a pre-Code film, those gals behind the screen get even more obviously naked than you see here.

In this number, the ladies are "playing" violins edged in neon.  When the lights come one, you can see the electrical cords.  Apparently, the performers would occasionally get shocked.  Hey, it's what you do for Art.

xo

K

shop preview

What's coming to the shop this week?  A 1940s dress with a wild pioneer print, a couple springy florals, a cute bowling shirt, and this amazing embroidered folklore dress... 

1950s cross stitch embroidered folklore dress (those are horses on the skirt!), by Carlye.

1950s pink mohair cardigan.

1940s pioneer novelty print rayon dress, by Original Junior Miss of New York.

1960s mod dots maillot swimming suit.

1940s deadstock gray dress with sheer mesh stripes and rhinestone decorations, by Slendertone.

1950s brown plaid seersucker full skirt.

1950s clematis print yellow cotton dress with full skirt and giant sash.

1960s marble swirl print blouse, by Joanne.

1960s floral print drop waist dress with scarf collar and accordion pleat skirt.

1950s women's white and blue gabardine bowling shirt, Ten Strike by King Louie.

1940s floral printed rayon crepe dress.

1950s brown gingham cotton pencil skirt, by Majestic.

xo

K